Harassment support

The College is committed to making our community an environment which is respectful and inclusive. This includes eliminating all forms of discrimination, especially direct and indirect forms of harassment, bullying and victimisation. Our Respect for Others guide (pdf)‌‌ builds on Imperial Expectations and outlines the behaviour and standards that all staff should follow.

Who can I talk to about harassment or bullying?

Confidential Care hotline

Confidential Care is Imperial's employee assistance provider. They have an external hotline staffed by professional counsellors. You can report harassment, bullying, or any inappropriate behaviour while remaining anonymous.

Call the hotline: 0800 197 2814

Confidential Care shares an anonymous summary report of key issues each quarter (and immediately after reports) with HR, to help the College understand recurring issues and take action.

Harassment Support Contacts

Harassment Support Contacts (HSCs) are trained staff volunteers. They will listen to you and help you explore the informal and formal options available through the College policies and procedures.

Harassment Support Contacts keep all discussions confidential.

Contact information for each Harassment Support Contact is provided further down this page.

HR

Imperial's Human Resources (HR) department offers advice and support to Imperial staff on a wide range of issues, including harassment and bullying.

HR can answer questions about the College's policies and can talk you through the formal process of raising a grievance.

Details about harassment

Contact details for Harassment Support Contacts

You can contact the Harassment Support Contacts (HSCs) directly via phone or email. Or you can get in touch with the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Centre who can then arrange a referral to an appropriate HSC.

What do different terms mean?

Discrimination - when a person is treated differently, either directly or indirectly (e.g. because of a policy), due to their actual or perceived protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (such as disability or race)

Bullying - has no single definition. At Imperial we use the term bullying to describe persistent negative acts or behaviours that undermine, offend, or threaten. Bullying may involve abuses of power or authority. There is not a legal definition, but Imperial has a duty of care for all our employees

Harassment - unwanted conduct which violates someone's dignity, or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. Harassment is related to protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (such as sex or age)

Victimisation - when an individual is treated badly because they have made or supported a complaint (or intends to) about discrimination or harassment